Media education, a safe media environment and media literacy are included in the Ministry's key documents, e.g. the development plan Education and Research 2007-2012 and the Child and Youth Policy Programme 2007-2011, as well as in the Governments Policy Programme for the Well-being of Children, Youth and Families.

Media education

The development plan for education and research draws attention to children's and young people's media use. According to the plan, materials and modes of action which promote media education and literacy will be developed, measures will be taken to ensure equal access to media education and teachers' competencies in media education will be upgraded.

Teachers' continuing professional education financed by the National Board of Education is informed by the priorities laid down in the development programme. The National Board allocates government subsidies for training in the use of ICT, the development of learning environments and the improvement of data connections.

The National Board grants subsidies to education providers for development projects which include media education as an inherent element.

In spring 2007 a proposal was submitted for a programme geared to develop media skills and media literacy as part of citizenship and information society skills in basic and secondary education and teacher training.

The Ministry of Education takes part in the "ICT in education" project (2008 - 2010), which looks into the potential of ICT in the development of teaching and learning.

A safe media environment and media literacy

Media education projects are supported with the aim of enhancing the safety of children's and young people's media environment and media literacy. There are projects designed to heighten media awareness among adults who work with children and to develop their skills in guiding children to move safely in the media world.

In addition, the possibility to extend the operation of the Finnish Board of Film Classification towards media education research and development will be looked into. Legislation will be amended in response to developments in the mediascape.

The Ministry of Education has published a report on the technical aspects and limitations of filters and child-locks and other facilities to be considered by those buying software. The report does not take a stand either for or against the use of filters, nor does it recommend the filtering of any given web contents.

The Ministry of Education participates in a Media Forum for children and young people set up by an information society advisory board (Ministry of Transport and Communications). The forum looks into the role of the media and the internet in children's and young people's daily life, develops their skills in operating in the electronic media environment and explores ways and means of reducing the harmfulness of electronic media.